No. 2 Ardmore claims first unbeaten regular season since 2005

Sunday

While Friday night might have been about honoring the numerous Ardmore seniors, it was also a perfect night to make history at Noble Stadium for the Tigers football team.

While Friday night might have been about honoring the numerous Ardmore seniors, it was also a perfect night to make history at Noble Stadium for the Tigers football team.

No. 2 Ardmore had little trouble dismantling Western Heights 41-19, giving the Tigers their first 10-0 regular season since Jermaine Gresham’s team did back in 2005.

With the district 5A-1 title already sealed, the Tigers can now turn their attention to the postseason, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Noble Stadium against Piedmont.

As for Friday night though, Ardmore coach Josh Newby was full of praise and emotion for the historic occasion.

“I’m so proud of these young men,” he said. “This goes back all the way to June in the weight room. They have always done everything asked of them. No one gripes, whines or cares who scores. It’s a very selfless group of young men.”

“I was very proud of the way the starters cheered on their teammates in the second half,” Newby added. “My voice started to crack a little in my pregame speech, so the kids knew I really cared about winning this game tonight. We need to step up next week and keep this going, I don’t want this to end. We need to have a great week of practice so we can give this community and this school district a good chance to win against Piedmont.”

It was only fitting that a senior would steal the show against the Jets, as Michael Bruner shined, scoring two touchdowns on the evening.

His first of the night came at the 7:49 mark of the second quarter when Bruner caught a Western Heights punt at the Jets 46-yard line.

After veering to his right and seeing a lot of blockers, Bruner adjusted course and went all the way around to the left side, where his Ardmore teammates were waiting with plenty of blocks, paving the way for a 46-yard punt return for a touchdown, putting Ardmore up 21-0.

Bruner put the cherry on top of his most successful offensive night this season, as he powered his way into the end zone less than two minutes later from six yards out to make it 28-0.

Another Tigers senior got the scoring started in the first quarter when Cameron Petties went in from six yards out to make it 7-0 at the 5:22 mark of the first quarter.

Tero Roberts then gave the Noble Stadium faithful a collectors item as he tossed a rare touchdown pass, this one connecting with Raven Henderson from 35-yards out to make it 14-0 at the 2:51 mark of the first quarter.

Ardmore finished off a successful first half when Jermaine Scallion got a touchdown from six yards out to make it 35-0.

Javier Lewis got the Jets on the board just before halftime with a four yard rushing touchdown to make it 35-6 at the break.

With just four seconds left in the third quarter, Ardmore scored its final touchdown of the night when Donald May broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown run, making it 41-6.

Western Heights did manage to get a couple of consolation touchdowns in the fourth quarter thanks to Skyler Atkins scoring from two yards out, before Carlos Lewis scooped up an Ardmore fumble and ran 39-yards for a touchdown with less than five minutes to go.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.